o connor



I J. B. OCONNOR June 27, 1933. FOLDING TABLE Re. 18,883

Filed Jan. (f0. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. B. O CONNOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FOLD I NG TABLE June 27, 1933.

Filed Jan. 30, 1928 M4944 7. %m a 0 Paw/r107 i and has more having pivote legs adapted to fold up .with- Reiuued June 27, 1933 some B. o'oomvon, or AURORA, rn'nmors,

n'ssmnon, BY unsnn assrenmnnrs, r

LYON METAL PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or runners ronmrre TABLE-- prl'glnal'lo. 1,879,945, dated September 21 1983, Serial No. 250,462, filed January 1928. 4pp'1icatlon for reissue filed Kay 10, 1933. Serial No. 870,331.

'This invention relates in general totables artieularreference to a table in the zone of the table top whereby the table fiiaybecollapsed into small compass for storage purposes and to be extended at open 051- .tion substantially normal to the plane o the table. More specifically; this invention rea lat es to 'theprovision, in a folding table, of

- folded position. a 7' The primary objec of the present invenmeans for securely hinginf'g the legs to'the table and of simple means r Iockin thelegs v firmly in open position: and yiel ingly 111 tion is to provide a new and improved table having a novel leg construction and latching means. 8

"Another. important object of the invention is the provisionuof a hinge construction comprim'ng'a bracket secured to the table and a pintle. carried in a flange formed in the leg and pivoted in the bracket, the pintle, flange and bracket being of substantial length in the direction of the axis of the hinge whereby wabbling of the leg is prevented.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a latch of simple construction, positive action and rugged construction adapted to secure the leg of a folding leg table firmly 30 in open position. A further object of the invention is the provision of a leg hinge bracket adapted for arrangement in the corner of a table of the folding leg type to pivotally support the upper end of a leg, and having a formation,

therein adapted to engage the lower end of another leg when in folded position whereby to support it in closed position.

i A still further object of the invention is the combination of hinged legs and latches for a folding leg table of simplified construction whereby a sturdy and easily operated folding table may be'made economically, and at the same time having a pleasing appearance and giving satisfactory and efficient operation over a long period of service.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specifica ion.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selectedembodiment of theinvention and the views therein are as follows:

Figure 1 is a erspective view of a folding leg table embo ying the present invention showing the legs in open position;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the table shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken substantially along line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4-is a horizontal cross section taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Figure 3; v Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 3 with the table legs in relatively folded position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the table legs in relatively folded position;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the hinge construction as it appears in place in the table; and I Figure 8 is a perspective view of the individual parts comprising the improved hinge construction of the present invention.

The folding table herein shown for the purposes of illustration has a top 11, and separating legs 13 which are pivotally mounted I to the table top. The legs are adapted to be arranged in substantially normal open position, or to be folded within the zone of the table top to form a compact folded table when notin use.

0 The table top comprises the peripheral mm 15 which is formed from a single strip of material suitably'cut and configurated to form the periphery of the table top, being in the illustrated embodiment, bent to form a square table rim.' The body of the rimlies In a substantially vertical plane, and the upper edges of the. rim strip are bent inwardly as at 19 to form a rounded corner. The upper edge is thence bent vertically downwards along a line of bend 21, Figures 3 and 5, thence normally inwards along a line of bend 23 to provide a ledge 25. The lower edges of the strip are bent inwardly at right angles to the main body of the strip along a line of bend 27, thence downwardly parallel with the plane of the main body along a line ofbend 29, thence backwardly along a line of bend 31 and extend upwardly to the ledge 25. The extreme lower edge portions are finally bent inwardly along a line of bend 33 to provide a ledge 35 parallel and adjacent to the ledge 25. The ledges may be secured together as by welding or any other convenient means, to provide an annular table top sup porting flange. In order to strengthen thls llange, it may be desirable to extend this ledge 35 inwardly beyond the inner edge of the ledge 25 and fold the extended ledge portion over to enclose the outer edges of the ledge said folded portion being secured to the ledge 25 by spot welding or any convenient manner.

The table top consists, in the illustrated embodiment, of a square board which may be formed of any convenient material and a suitable cover 39 which is wrapped about the board. The table top is then. arranged in the seat formed by the ledges 25 and 35 and is secured in position therein by convenient fastening means such as the nuts and bolts 41 illustrated, Figures 2 and 3.

The particular top construction is shown in applicants divisional application, Serial No. 483,400, filed September 22, 1930, for Folding table top.

The folding legs are pivoted to the rim 15 at each of the four corners of the table, and are arranged to fold into the zone of the peripheral rim beneath the top supporting ledge thereof. The legs are supported in brackets which in turn are secured to the inner surface of the rim immediately beneath the top supporting ledge. Each bracket is formed from a single strip of metal suitably cut and bent to provide a hinge portion having a top 45 from which an end 49 and a side 47 are bent at right angles. The edge of the top 45 opposite the bent end 49 is also bent downwardly to provide an end 51. The side 47 of the bracket is provided with an offset protuberance 53 formed at the lower edge of the portion and the end a9 is offset to provide a cam surface 55 therein. The lower edge of the end 49 isprovided with a notch 57 adjacent the cam surface 55. The bracket is arranged in. the table with its upper surface 45 engaging the exposed lower surface of the edge 35, its side 47 engaging the single surface of the rim 15 and the end 49 engaging the single surface of the adjacent side of the rim. The bracket port-ions 45, 47 and 49 may be secured to the rim 15 by any convenient means, although I prefer to use spot welding or the like.

The legs 13 comprise tubular members having a substantially square cross section at their upper ends. Each leg is provided at its upper end with ears 59 having apertures 61 formed in opposite sides of the leg adjacent one side thereof. The leg is constructed to provide a lateral flange 67 which lies in a plane of a side of the leg. This flange has an upper edge 69 which is curled over to form a journal, the axis of which is in alignment with the apertures 61. The journal and the ears are adapted to support a rod 63 which extends outwardly thereof at each end and is pivoted in holes formed in the spaced end portions 49 and 51 of the bracket. This rod extends through these apertures and is riveted for the purpose of securing it in place. This arrangement insures a substantially long hinge for the leg, which prevents the leg from wabbling in the plane of the axis of the hinge. The parts are so arranged that when the leg is in open position, it is arranged at the corner of the table and when in folded position extends parallel with the side of the rim to which the end 49 of the bracket is attached. A similar bracket is attached at the adjacent cornor of the rim with its side 47 secured opposite the lower end of the leg when it is in folded position and the protuberance 53 therein is arranged in position to cooperate with the lower end of the folded leg in order to secure it in folded position, the resilience of the leg allowing it to be sprung over the protuberance which thereupon engages beneath the leg and maintains the same in folded position within the zone of the rim.

In order to secure the leg of the table in open position, there is provided an improved latch construction which comprises a detent arranged in the upper portions of the leg and a cooperating keeper formed in the bracket. The keeper comprises the cam surface 55 and the notch 57 heretofore described. The detent comprises an arm formed from a metal-strip and having a detent portion 73, a body 77 and a handle 79. The detent and the blade are arranged through slots 71 formed in the side walls of the leg, and the body 77 is pivoted by means of a pin 75 engaging through an aperture 75 formed in the flange 67, the handle 7 9 extending beyond the lower edge of the lateral flange. The detent is normally urged in an upward direction, that is to say, toward the axis of the hinge, by means of a spring 81 secured as at 83 to the detent body portion 77 within the leg and to the hinge pin 63. The outer end of the detent 73 extends outwardly of the leg and engages the cam surface 55. When the leg is arranged in fully opened position, the detent registers with the notch 57 and engages therein under the influence of the spring 81. VVhen it is desired to fold the legs into the zone of the rims, the detent may be released from engagement with the notch by pressing upwardly on the handle 79; This operation releases the detent from the notch whereupon the leg may be swung to folded position, the detent sliding along the cam surface 55, the end of the leg being sprung behind the protuberance 53 of the adjacent bracket. When it is desired to open the leg, the lower end is sprung from behind the protuberance 53 and the leg is then swung or moved to open position, the

detent 73 riding u n the cam surface and being guided F with the notch '57.

The invention rovides a simple, eflicient' easily operated olding table composed of relatively few and simple parts, and can be readily and "economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of itsadvantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly'fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described'the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a table having folding legs a hinge connection between the table and a leg, a latch member ivoted in the leg and having an extending etent and a latch keeper comprising a cam surface and a notch formed in the table in position such that the detent registers with the notch when the leg is in open position.

2. In a table having folding legs, a hinge connection between the table and a leg, a latch'member ivoted in the leg and having an extending etent, a latch keeper comprising a cam surface and a notch formed in the table'in position such that the detent registers with the notch when the leg is in open position and means resiliently urging the detent into the notch whereby the leg may be locked in open osition.

3. n a table having folding legs, a hinge connection between the table and leg, a latch member pivoted in the leg and having an extending detent, and a latch keeper comprisin a cam surface and a notch formed in the ta le in position such that the detent registers with the notch when the legiis in open position, said cam surface being arranged to engage the detent during the leg opening operation whereby to guide the detent into the notch.

4. In a table having folding legs, a pivoted detent carried by each leg and resiliently urged to engage a keeper formed in the table, said kee er comprising a notch and a cam surface ormed to cooperate with the detent to guide said detent to said notch while the legs are being opened, and said notch being arranged to register with and receive the detent when the legs are in open position. 5. In a table having folding legs, a hinged construction for said legs comprising a bracket member carried by the table and providing two substantially parallel spacedapart flanges, each table leg comprising a hollow sheet metal member the upper portion of which is provided with an integral sheet and curled at its uppermost portion to proereby into registration metal flange extending laterally of the leg vide a keeper for a pivotal pin, said keeper pprtion being co-extensive/ with the distances.

. per portion of said leg and passing through said slots and adapted to engage a cooperative portion of the bracket to lock the leg in open position, and a spring mounted within the hollow up er portion of the l and connected with t e latch for norma y urging the latch to locking position.

6. table construction com rising "oinbination a square sheet metal f i'ame provided with a table top, a rigid sheet metal bracket adapted to fit in each corner of the frame and to be rigidly secured to the inner corners of the walls thereof, comprising an angular brackt having side walls disposed at right angles to one another and having an integral top portion adapted to underlie the top of the table, said top ortion having a dependin flange dispose arallel to one of said s1 e wal s, and said ange and said parallel side wall having opposed openings for the reception of a pivotal pin, said parallel side wall having a vertical wall, the lower portion of which is provided with a rounded cam surface and with an adjacent locking notch, and a t1 on adapte to receive the pivotal pin for prvotally mounting the \leg to the bracket, said leg carrying a pivoted latch having a locking ortion adapted to enter the locking notch 0 said parallel wall and adapted, when moved out of said notch, to slide along the rounded cam portion and up the vertical wall thereof.

7. table construction com rising in comblnation a square sheet metal rame provided witha table top, a ri id sheet metal bracket adapted to fit in eac corner of the frame and to be rigidly secured to the inner corners of the walls thereof, comprising an angular bracket having side walls disposed at right angles to one another and having an integral top portion adapted to underlie the top of the table, said top portion having a depending flange disposed parallel to one of said side walls, and said flange and said parallel sidewall having opposed openings for the reception of a pivotal pin, side wall having a vertical wall, the lower portion of which is provided cam surface and with an adjacent locking notch, and a leg having an upper hinge portion adapted to receive the pivotal pin for leg having an upper hinge porsaid parallel with a rounded prvotally mounting the leg to the bracket,

said leg carrying a pivoted laltchhaving a when moved out ofsaid notch, toslide alon the rounded cam portion and up the vertica wall thereof, the .wall of the bracket which lies at right angles to the wall having the locking notch therein carrying an outstandpin, said leg being formed of sheet metal and having its upper end formed with a relatively broad flange curled at its top to rovide a keeper to receive said pivotal pm, said curled portion of said leg adjacent the hollow upper portion of said leg being cut away,

the upper portion of said ollow leg ad acent said inte ral broad flange thereof being provided with longitudinal slots passing through'op' osite portions of said leg, and a lockin r latc passing through said slots and pi'votally mounted on said re1atively broad flange, and a spring mounted within the hollow portion of said leg and connected to said latch, said spring having a portion 39 passing overthe pivotal pin for said leg and means on said bracket for lockingly cooperating with said latch.

9. 'In a folding table of the class described, the combination of a table top, a bracket con- 35 nected tosaid top and having a pair of substantially parallel spaced arns, a hollow leg member having two upper portions dispose between said arms, a pivot pinextending through said arms and through the leg por- 4 tions disposed therebetween, said legJ being thereby pivotally mounted in said racket member, a locking member extendin through said 1e and having a portion a apted to interloc with a portion of the bracket arm 4 so as to maintain the le in extended position, and a spring for yie dingly ur ing said locking member into said interloc ing engagement, and means for mounting said spring witl1in said leg.

10. A folding table ofthe class described,

the combination of a table top, a bracket connected to said top and having a pair of substantially parallel spaced arms, a hollow leg member for supporting said top, said leg member having its upperend portion disposed between said bracket arms and avlng a slot extending therethrough /and i elongated lengthwise of the leg, a pivotpin extending through said arms and leg for pivotally mounting the leg in said brac locking bar'disposed'in said elongated slot so asto be movable lengthwise of the leg and having a portion projecting from the le sq as to be capable of engaging a portion o the bracket arm, a spring'disposed withet, a

11. In a sheet metal folding table, the'combination of a top member'provided with' a bracket having spaced-apart pivotal bearin and a sheet metal leg having integrefi y formed square shaped upper portions, oneof the side walls 0 said square up er portion being rovided with an integrally later ally exten ing sheet metal flan e of relatively much greater width than t e width 0;?

the leg, said flange being curled at its upper end to provide a keeper for a pivotal pin passing through said keeper and through the said metal pivotal portions of said bracket to support said leg in position.

121K111 combination with a sheet metal folding table, a table top having a bracket provided with spaced-a art pivotal bearingls, e

a sheet metal leg of tu ular formation, t

lower portion of said leg being substantially round and the upper integral portion of said leg bein of square formation, one side of the square ormation having an integral laterally extending sheet metal flange of considerably greater width than the width of the square portion, said flan e being curled at its upper end to provide a eeper for a ivotal pin passing through said keeper and t rough the flanges of said bracket.

13. In a table having legs, means swingingly connecting said legs to said table whereby the legs may be selectively moved to extended or folded position, cams fastened to said table and havin a notch therein, locking members carrie by said legs and engaging the-notch when the legs are in extended position, and spring means arranged inside of said legs and operatively connected to the locking members for urging the locking members against the cams.

14. In a table having legs, means swingingly connecting the legs to the table, a cam for each leg and carried by a part of said table, said cam having a notch therein, alocking member carried by each leg and engaging the notch when the said leg is in extended position, and spring means arranged inside of each leg for urging the locking member against the cam to hold the locking member into the notch. r

15. In a table having legs, means for swingingly mounting the legs to the table whereby the legs may be moved to either folded or extended position, a cam for each leg and carried by a part of said table, each cam having a notch therein, a lockin member carried by each leg and engaging t e notch in the cam when the leg is in extended position, spring i the leg riding over sai means arranged inside of each leg for ur ing the locking member against the cam to oldthe locking member into the notch, and means operatively associated with the locking member for releasing the locking member from the notch to permit folding or extending movement of the leg.

16. In a table having folding legs, a cam carried by a part of said table and ha ving a notch therein, a locking member carried by a leg and engaging the notch when the leg is in extended position, spring means arranged inside of said leg for urging the locking member in a predetermined position, and a handle integral with said locking means and extending through said leg to release the locking member to permit folding movement of said leg.

17 In a table having folding legs, a lever pivoted to a leg, a latching end on said lever and extending through the leg, a keeper for said latching end, spring means inside of said leg and connected to said lever for urging the latching end in a predetermined direction, and an arm on said lever and extending through the leg for retracting the latching end from the keeper against the tension of said spring.

18. A table having folding legs, an extension rigid with a leg, a relatively long pivot pin for pivoting the leg and extension to a part of the table, a lever pivoted to said extension and having a latching end extending through the leg, a spring inside of the leg and connected to the lever for urging the latching end toward the top of the leg, a handle integral with said lever and extending beyond the projection for moving the latching end against the tension of the spring, and a keeper for said latching end.

19. A table having folding legs, an extension rigid with a leg, a relatively long pivot pin for pivoting the le and extension to a part of the table, a ever pivoted to said extension and having a latching end extending-through the leg, a sprin inside of the leg and connected to the lever for urging the latching end toward the top of the leg, a handle integral with said lever and extending beyond the projection for movin the latchin end against the tension of the spring, a eeper for said latching end, a cam member adjacent the leg and engageable with the latching end, and a slot in said cam member for receiving said latching end, said latching end riding On a cam during folding movement of the leg and being pulled into the slot by the spring at the 7 end of the folding movement of the leg.

20. A table comprising a top, a cam member supported by said top, a leg pivotally connected to the top, sald cam having a notch therein, a lockin member carried by cam and engageable with the notch, and pivoted means for disengaging said locking member from said notch.

21. A folding table comprising a top, legs pivotally connected to said top, a latch member for each leg and extending through said leg, means for pivoting the latch member to the leg, said latch member engaging a part of the table for locking the leg in a predetermined position.

22. A folding table comprising a leg having a slot formed therethrough, a latch member pivoted to the leg and extending through the slot on opposite sides of the leg, one side of said latch member providing a latchin end and the other side an operating end, anil a keeper for the latching end.

23. A folding 'table comprising a leg, means pivotally connecting the leg to the table, a latch member extending throu h the leg, means for pivoting the latch to t e leg, and keeper means engageable with the latch for locking the leg in a predetermined position.

24. A folding table comprising a leg pivotally connected to a part of the table, said leg having a slot therethrough, a latch member arranged in the slot, means for pivoting the latch to the leg, and keeper means for the latch to lock the leg in a predetermined position.

25. A folding table comprising a leg having a hollow part, means for pivotally connecting the leg to the table, a latch arranged inside of the hollow part of the leg and arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the leg, pivot means fastened to the hollow part of the leg for pivoting the latch to the leg, and means cooperating with the latch for locking the leg in a predetermined position.

JOHN B. OOONNOR. 

